Fire risk assessments in Sittingbourne
Sittingbourne is an industrial town on the Swale, with around 54,000 residents. Its local clay and chalk made it a centre for brick-making, paper and cement, industries that still shape the area.
- Fire authority
- Kent Fire and Rescue Service
- Local council
- Swale Borough Council
- Who attends
- Our own IFSM-member assessors
- Distance
- about 13 miles from our office
- Accreditation
- BAFE SP205, ID 303595
Its position on the A2 and good rail links to London have also brought warehousing and distribution. The town centre serves Sittingbourne and the nearby Isle of Sheppey.
Large employers sit alongside smaller trade and workshop units across the town's industrial estates. Shared yards, mixed tenants and busy loading areas mean fire procedures often need coordinating between neighbouring businesses.
We assess industrial, warehouse, retail and residential premises across Sittingbourne and Swale.
Who needs a fire risk assessment in Sittingbourne
- Manufacturing and process industries
- Paper, cement and related industries bring dust, heat and process risks. Combustible dust can build up in roof spaces and ducting.
- Warehousing and distribution
- Large storage buildings need assessments of racking, loading areas and escape distances. Battery charging for forklifts is a common ignition source.
- Town-centre retail
- Shops with storage or flats above need clear separation and protected stairs. Upper floors used for storage are often overlooked.
- Schools and education
- The town has several secondary and grammar schools with large occupancies. Practical areas such as labs and workshops add specific hazards.
Your local fire authority
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is the enforcing authority for Sittingbourne. If an inspector calls, the first thing they will ask for is a current, written fire risk assessment, and they can serve notices where precautions fall short.
Rules that apply in Sittingbourne
- Your fire risk assessment must be recorded in writing, whatever the size of the business. What this means
- Residents in any block of two or more flats must be given fire safety information. What this means
Sittingbourne fire safety questions
Can you assess manufacturing sites in Sittingbourne?
Yes. We consider process risks, dust, hot work and how contractors are managed on site.
Do you assess warehouses and distribution centres?
Yes. We look at storage height, loading bays, vehicle routes and escape distances.
Do you cover the Isle of Sheppey?
Yes. We cover the whole of Swale, including Sheerness and the rest of the island.
We share a yard with other businesses. Who is responsible for fire safety?
Each business assesses its own premises, and the landlord or site owner should cover the shared areas. We can help coordinate the arrangements.
Who enforces fire safety for businesses in Sittingbourne?
Kent Fire and Rescue Service enforces the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and can inspect premises and issue notices.
Gary who attended was great. He was very professional and advised on some bits we needed to adapt. He helped with questions I had with regards to regulations and explained in detail everything required.
Nearby areas we cover
Get a free quote
Tell us about the building in Sittingbourne and we'll come back to you with a free, no-obligation quote.
- Phone07810 861397
- Emailadmin@thefirenetwork.co.uk
- Office36 Laburnum Drive, Larkfield, ME20 6LU